Trump Archive
Video14 min read

Press Gaggle: Donald Trump Speaks to Reporters On Board Air Force One - June 17, 2025

12:00 AM
Question 00:00:00-00:00:01 (2 sec)

How's it going?

Donald Trump 00:00:01-00:00:04 (2 sec)

It's going well. Did everybody have a good time?

Question 00:00:04-00:00:04 (1 sec)

Yes.

Question 00:00:04-00:00:05 ( sec)

Did you have a good time?

Question 00:00:05-00:00:06 (1 sec)

Yeah, how about you?

Donald Trump 00:00:06-00:00:07 (2 sec)

I did. I always have a good time.

Question 00:00:07-00:00:08 (1 sec)

(laughs) So you --

Donald Trump 00:00:08-00:00:09 (1 sec)

Hi, Jennifer.

Question 00:00:09-00:00:13 (4 sec)

Hi there. You just posted right before we took off that you're not looking for the -- the ceasefire. Why are you --

Donald Trump 00:00:13-00:00:28 (15 sec)

No, I'm not looking to get a ceasefire. We'll looking at something better than a ceasefire. We're not looking for a ceasefire. I didn't say I was looking for a ceasefire. That was Emanuel. Nice guy, but he doesn't get it right too often. But, uh, we're not looking -- We're looking for better than a cease --

Question 00:00:28-00:00:29 (1 sec)

That's a --

Question 00:00:29-00:00:30 (2 sec)

What -- what you're looking --

Question 00:00:30-00:00:32 (1 sec)

What specifically?

Question 00:00:32-00:00:37 (5 sec)

You're looking at this more -- So it's not the U.S.' conflict, this stage. You can do anything more for Israel right now?

Donald Trump 00:00:37-00:00:48 (11 sec)

Doing pretty well. Right now we're doing pretty well. Remember, Iran cannot have any nuclear weapons. Very simple. Don't have to go too deep into it. They just can't have nuclear weap -- weapons.

Question 00:00:48-00:00:55 (6 sec)

When -- when you say better -- What are you thinking on the call for Tehran to evacuate? Is there a threat or is there any coming? What was the reason that call --

Donald Trump 00:00:55-00:01:04 (9 sec)

Not at all. I can -- I want people to be safe. That -- that's always possible that a thing like that could happen. I just want people to be safe.

Question 00:01:04-00:01:09 (6 sec)

Is there any new concern about U.S. troops or assets in the region at all today?

Donald Trump 00:01:09-00:01:12 (3 sec)

You got great people that know how to protect themselves.

Question 00:01:12-00:01:14 (1 sec)

And when you say, "better", what --

Donald Trump 00:01:14-00:01:27 (14 sec)

Or we'll come down so hard if they do anything to our people. We'll come down so hard, then the gloves are off so beautifully. Now, uh, they, uh, I think they -- I think they know not to touch our our troops.

Question 00:01:27-00:01:28 ( sec)

What --

Question 00:01:28-00:01:28 ( sec)

Are you --

Donald Trump 00:01:28-00:01:31 (3 sec)

Find out when our troops are ready.

Question 00:01:31-00:01:40 (9 sec)

When you say, "better" -- [Inaudible] -- there's reports that you want to send the Vice President and Senator Witkoff to speak with the Iranians, did that discussion get set?

Donald Trump 00:01:40-00:01:45 (5 sec)

I may, actually. I bet. It depends on what happens when I get back.

Question 00:01:45-00:01:50 (5 sec)

What specifically is better than a ceasefire? What are you looking for here?

Donald Trump 00:01:50-00:01:53 (3 sec)

An end. A real end, not a ceasefire. An end.

Question 00:01:53-00:01:55 (2 sec)

So something that would be permanent?

Donald Trump 00:01:55-00:01:59 (4 sec)

Yeah, or -- or, uh, giving up entirely. [Inaudible]

Question 00:01:59-00:02:04 (5 sec)

Are you -- are you close or is that even possible? Is that possible in the next 24 or so hours?

Donald Trump 00:02:04-00:02:10 (5 sec)

Certainly possible that they would give up. That's possible.

Question 00:02:10-00:02:11 (1 sec)

How did the Israeli --

Question 00:02:11-00:02:19 (9 sec)

Did you get the Joint Chief and Secretary of Defense drawn up plans for you if Iran were to attack U.S. bases in the area?

Donald Trump 00:02:19-00:02:26 (6 sec)

[Inaudible]

Question 00:02:26-00:02:31 (5 sec)

[Inaudible] U.S. involved militarily that it would destroy Iran's nuclear program in --

Donald Trump 00:02:31-00:02:40 (9 sec)

There's no guarantees in everything for Iran. They got money. You know that. Look at you, right? There's no guarantee. But you're saying a guarantee of what?

Question 00:02:40-00:02:47 (7 sec)

Do you think if the U.S. got involved military, it would actually wipe out Iran's nuclear program? Or where's your assessment of that?

Donald Trump 00:02:47-00:02:53 (6 sec)

Well I hope their program's going to be wiped out long before that. But they're not going to have a nuclear weapon.

Question 00:02:53-00:02:59 (6 sec)

What you -- what are you reasons -- Do you have any reason to believe the Israelis are going to slow down or are they going to hit the accelerator right now because they have superiority?

Donald Trump 00:02:59-00:03:03 (4 sec)

We'll find out over the next few days. We're going to find out.

Question 00:03:03-00:03:04 (1 sec)

What does that mean?

Donald Trump 00:03:04-00:03:06 (2 sec)

Nobody's slowed up so far.

Question 00:03:06-00:03:10 (4 sec)

Has the [Inaudible] been notified about what's coming in the next couple days?

Donald Trump 00:03:10-00:03:11 (1 sec)

Well we'll be talking to him.

Question 00:03:11-00:03:12 (1 sec)

What can you --

Donald Trump 00:03:12-00:03:13 (1 sec)

It's not necessary.

Question 00:03:13-00:03:17 (4 sec)

What can you do from Washington that you couldn't do to take advantage?

Donald Trump 00:03:17-00:03:41 (23 sec)

Just be a little bit, uh, I think more well versed. Not having to use telephones so much because I don't believe in telephones. It's people like you who listen to him. So, being on the scene is much better. And we did everything I had to do in the G-7. We had a good G-7. WE signed a deal with, uh, European Union.

Donald Trump 00:03:41-00:03:44 (3 sec)

Phase one of the deal. Oh, we signed a deal with the UK.

Question 00:03:44-00:03:45 (1 sec)

What -- What --

Donald Trump 00:03:45-00:03:57 (12 sec)

And the UK is really great. We -- we, uh, well, very far down the line, a lot of deals. Let me look, we're actually finished with every deal if you really think about it. Because all I have to do is this is what it is.

Question 00:03:57-00:03:59 (1 sec)

Did Secretary Bennett=

Donald Trump 00:03:59-00:04:00 (2 sec)

But it's -- it's nice to be nice.

Question 00:04:00-00:04:01 (1 sec)

Did Secretary Bennett [Inaudible]

Donald Trump 00:04:01-00:04:02 ( sec)

Yeah.

Question 00:04:02-00:04:03 (2 sec)

Oh, okay. Anybody else?

Donald Trump 00:04:03-00:04:08 (4 sec)

Yeah, a couple people.

Question 00:04:08-00:04:08 ( sec)

[Inaudible]

Donald Trump 00:04:08-00:04:13 (5 sec)

Here we go. Who else has a question other than CNN beggars?

Question 00:04:13-00:04:21 (8 sec)

[Inaudible] Mr. President, can you talk with me or -- Can you tell us where the status is on those talks beside the UK?

Donald Trump 00:04:21-00:04:37 (16 sec)

I don't feel that they're offering a fair deal yet. They've been very tough over the years, dealing with the European Union. They -- they formed in order to earn the United States credit. And we're either going to make a good deal or they'll just pay whatever we say they have to pay.

Question 00:04:37-00:04:39 (2 sec)

What about the Japanese? Are you that brief with the Prime Minister Ishiba?

Donald Trump 00:04:39-00:04:52 (13 sec)

No, we had a great conversation, uh, I thought he was terrific, actually. No, I was very friendly with Shinzo Abe, the Prime Minister. He was a great man. But I think this -- I think he's going to do a very good job.

Question 00:04:52-00:04:55 (3 sec)

Do you think you have a chance to make a deal with them?

Donald Trump 00:04:55-00:05:07 (12 sec)

Yeah, there's a chance. Good talk. The Japanese are lovely. But ultimately, you have to understand, we're just going to send a letter and say this is what you're going to pay otherwise you don't have to do business with us. There's a chance.

Question 00:05:07-00:05:09 (2 sec)

They want to do the auto tariffs as well. Is that on the table?

Donald Trump 00:05:09-00:05:09 ( sec)

We'll see what happens.

Question 00:05:09-00:05:10 ( sec)

All right.

Question 00:05:10-00:05:11 (1 sec)

Did you see this drone attack --

Donald Trump 00:05:11-00:05:12 (1 sec)

Anything else?

Question 00:05:12-00:05:16 (4 sec)

Yeah, there's a drone attack in Kyiv. What's your response to that? It looks like 14 --

Donald Trump 00:05:16-00:05:17 (1 sec)

Wait, what was that?

Question 00:05:17-00:05:19 (2 sec)

A drone attack -- a Russian drone attack in Kyiv.

Donald Trump 00:05:19-00:05:19 ( sec)

When?

Question 00:05:19-00:05:21 (1 sec)

Very recently.

Question 00:05:21-00:05:21 (1 sec)

Just now.

Question 00:05:21-00:05:27 (5 sec)

14 civilians, an apartment building. [Inaudible]

Donald Trump 00:05:27-00:05:29 (2 sec)

[Inaudible] sounds like it. I'll have to look at it.

Question 00:05:29-00:05:37 (8 sec)

The joint statement on the Middle East, what changed about that that convinced you to sign onto it? The G-7 Joint Statement.

Donald Trump 00:05:37-00:05:54 (17 sec)

Well I haven't seen the statement yet. But -- but I authorized, I'll have to see, certain things. I don't know whether or not they said it correctly. But I think they probably did. We had a good, uh, good meeting. I think that, uh, Canadian representatives were very good. He did a very good job.

Question 00:05:54-00:05:55 ( sec)

How were -- how were the --

Donald Trump 00:05:55-00:05:56 (2 sec)

The Prime Minister did a very good job.

Question 00:05:56-00:06:00 (3 sec)

How was your meeting with him? How were the talks with the Canadians?

Donald Trump 00:06:00-00:06:02 (3 sec)

Well that was good. I think we had a lot of good talks. A lot of meetings.

Question 00:06:02-00:06:05 (3 sec)

You said he was looking for something more complex. Can you tell me what you mean by that?

Donald Trump 00:06:05-00:06:23 (18 sec)

Well they get too complex so the deals always never get done. But we need speed. You know, we're dealing with really, if you think about it, probably 175 countries. And most of them we just -- we sent them letters saying it'll be an honor to trade with you and here's what you're going to have to pay to do it. We're making a lot of money.

Donald Trump 00:06:23-00:06:49 (26 sec)

You know, we took in $88 billion in tariffs. And I was told by Congress about two nights ago saying, "We don't understand. The numbers are so far off." And I said, "Is that good or bad?" He says, "Well, we're taking in so much more income than we thought. We've never seen anything like this. What is it?" I said, "Check the tariff column." And it's about $88 billion that they've never seen before.

Donald Trump 00:06:49-00:06:52 (3 sec)

And that's nothing compared to what it's going to go to.

Question 00:06:52-00:06:53 ( sec)

Now --

Question 00:06:53-00:06:55 (3 sec)

You've got other tariffs coming down the pipe here --

Donald Trump 00:06:55-00:06:57 (1 sec)

I have a lot of them. Yep.

Question 00:06:57-00:07:01 (4 sec)

What's the timing on those for things like lumber [Inaudible] pharmaceutical drugs?

Donald Trump 00:07:01-00:07:06 (5 sec)

Yeah, we're going to be doing pharma very soon. It's going to being more of the companies back into America.

Question 00:07:06-00:07:07 (1 sec)

All of them or [Inaudible]

Donald Trump 00:07:07-00:07:31 (24 sec)

It's going to bring most of them back in. At least partially back in. You know they left us because we had presidents that didn't know what the hell they were doing. We should've never lost our car business. We lost 52% of our car business over the years. Should have never lost it. All they had to do is say, Hey, if you make a car... You're going to leave us, you're going to make a car, you're going to pay a 45, 30% tariff.

Donald Trump 00:07:31-00:07:35 (4 sec)

And they would've never left. No body said that to anybody.

Question 00:07:35-00:07:43 (8 sec)

Homeland Security is saying that ICE is going to start [Inaudible] and farms again. Is that a change in force and possibly [Inaudible]

Donald Trump 00:07:43-00:08:12 (29 sec)

We're looking everywhere. But I think the biggest problem is the inner cities. We're looking everywhere. But what they let into this country, but Biden let in -- But I don't think he knew what the hell he was doing in practice. But whoever worked for him. What they let into this country, we're never going to forget it. They let prisoners in, they let gang members in, drug dealers in, mentally insane into our country.

Donald Trump 00:08:12-00:08:13 (1 sec)

No, we're going to get them out.

Question 00:08:13-00:08:13 ( sec)

[Inaudible]

Donald Trump 00:08:13-00:08:25 (12 sec)

There are more, there are far more in the inner cities. Democrat-run cities. And it's sad, really. I'm just giving you the facts. There's far in more in there than you have on the farms.

Question 00:08:25-00:08:28 (3 sec)

So no one's getting exceptions anymore or anyone is?

Donald Trump 00:08:28-00:08:33 (6 sec)

Farmland is being looked at, but the bigger problem is the cities right now.

Question 00:08:33-00:08:34 ( sec)

[Inaudible]

Donald Trump 00:08:34-00:08:52 (19 sec)

And then you're -- that tends to be where the real [Inaudible] are. The murderers. You know, they've let in 11,888 murderers. People that kill people. Biden allowed that to happen, so. The Democrats allowed it to happen. Biden didn't know who was even around.

Question 00:08:52-00:08:59 (6 sec)

Question on your Senate Confirmation, with all the military actions, there are only three of your six sub-cabinet members in the [Inaudible]

Donald Trump 00:08:59-00:09:02 (3 sec)

Like you said, [Inaudible] the Democrats hold up our nomination.

Question 00:09:02-00:09:03 (2 sec)

Are you talking Senator -- Senator --

Donald Trump 00:09:03-00:09:11 (8 sec)

Yeah, I know. Johnson is doing a very good job. You know, I've got a lot of people in there, but yeah, he's doing a very good job.

Question 00:09:11-00:09:12 (1 sec)

Have you had a chance --

Donald Trump 00:09:12-00:09:29 (17 sec)

The Democrats, if we had George Washington up for approval, the Democrats would take maximum time, every hour, every minute, to delay him as much as possible. If we had a combination of Abraham Lincoln and George Washington, they would go max, well max time.

Question 00:09:29-00:09:38 (9 sec)

So you've said that you don't believe Iran should be able to have a nuclear weapon, but how close do you personally think that they were to getting weapons [Inaudible]

Donald Trump 00:09:38-00:09:38 ( sec)

[Inaudible]

Question 00:09:38-00:09:43 (5 sec)

[Inaudible] that the intelligence community said Iran wasn't building a nuclear weapon.

Donald Trump 00:09:43-00:09:46 (3 sec)

I don't care what she said. I think they were very close to having --

Question 00:09:46-00:09:54 (8 sec)

I've got to [Inaudible] this beautiful scene for the meeting. And you said a lot about acquiring Canada as a state. What, did anybody talk to you about that?

Donald Trump 00:09:54-00:09:58 (4 sec)

I think it's a much better deal for Canada, but you know, it's up to them.

Question 00:09:58-00:09:58 ( sec)

[Inaudible]

Donald Trump 00:09:58-00:10:06 (8 sec)

They're going to have to pay a lot of tariffs and they, they're going to have to pay a lot of money for the dome, the Iron Dome, if they want to be a part of it.

Question 00:10:06-00:10:06 ( sec)

Could you --

Donald Trump 00:10:06-00:10:08 (2 sec)

We may make a separate deal on that [Inaudible]

Question 00:10:08-00:10:08 ( sec)

On the dome?

Donald Trump 00:10:08-00:10:12 (4 sec)

We discussed it, yeah. [Inaudible]

Question 00:10:12-00:10:12 ( sec)

[Inaudible]

Donald Trump 00:10:12-00:10:16 (4 sec)

They want to be at 71 billion, they're going to pay.

Question 00:10:16-00:10:16 ( sec)

[Inaudible]

Donald Trump 00:10:16-00:10:18 (2 sec)

They'll be in the dome. Yeah, they'll be under the [Inaudible]

Question 00:10:18-00:10:25 (7 sec)

Are you open to negotiating with the Iranians right now or do you want to wait?

Donald Trump 00:10:25-00:10:40 (15 sec)

I don't know, I, I've been negotiating -- I told them to do the deal, they should have done the deal. Their cities have been blown to pieces. Lost a lot of people. They should have done the deal. I told them, "Do the deal." So I don't know. I'm not in too [Inaudible].

Question 00:10:40-00:10:42 (2 sec)

Do you think you'll be in the situation [Inaudible]

Donald Trump 00:10:42-00:10:43 (1 sec)

Yeah.

Question 00:10:43-00:10:43 ( sec)

[Inaudible]

Donald Trump 00:10:43-00:10:46 (3 sec)

While you're sleeping.

Question 00:10:46-00:10:46 ( sec)

[Inaudible]

Donald Trump 00:10:46-00:10:49 (3 sec)

Goodbye everyone.

Question 00:10:49-00:10:50 (1 sec)

[Inaudible] tell people to evacuate Tehran. [Inaudible]

Donald Trump 00:10:50-00:10:53 (3 sec)

Yeah, I b -- Yeah, I think it's safe.

Question 00:10:53-00:10:53 ( sec)

[Inaudible]

Donald Trump 00:10:53-00:10:58 (5 sec)

There's a lot of bad things happening. Yeah, I think it's safe enough to evacuate.

Question 00:10:58-00:11:07 (9 sec)

On Minnesota, there are a lot of horrific details that came out today about the suspect who's been charged there. Have you called the governor yet or been able to speak to any of them?

Donald Trump 00:11:07-00:11:26 (19 sec)

I don't really call him. It's look, he avoided this kind of a position. Um, I think the governor of Minnesota is so whacked out, I'm not calling him. Why would I call him? I could call him. Say, "Hi, how you doing?" Uh the guy doesn't have a clue so, he's a mess. So you know, I could be nice and call him but, why waste time?

Question 00:11:26-00:11:28 (2 sec)

On The Big Beautiful Bill sir, [Inaudible]?

Donald Trump 00:11:28-00:11:30 (2 sec)

We're doing well with The Big --

Question 00:11:30-00:11:33 (2 sec)

How's it looking at the Senate? They proposed a change --

Donald Trump 00:11:33-00:11:33 (1 sec)

The great, big, beautiful bill.

Question 00:11:33-00:11:35 (1 sec)

Are you okay with their change?

Donald Trump 00:11:35-00:11:37 (2 sec)

I hear so far it's going well.

Question 00:11:37-00:11:37 ( sec)

[Inaudible]

Donald Trump 00:11:37-00:11:56 (19 sec)

Look, if doesn't get approved, 68% tax increase and I think that the democrats would have to, you know, they, they'd be, we won't get democrats who [Inaudible] -- we're giving the biggest tax cut in history. Instead you have the biggest tax increase in history.

Question 00:11:56-00:11:57 (1 sec)

How's Rand Paul --

Donald Trump 00:11:57-00:11:58 (2 sec)

68%.

Question 00:11:58-00:11:59 (1 sec)

Are you [Inaudible] again?

Donald Trump 00:11:59-00:12:08 (9 sec)

Probably, yup. It's probably going to have to get China approval. I think we'll get --

Question 00:12:08-00:12:09 (2 sec)

You have the legal basis?

Donald Trump 00:12:09-00:12:12 (3 sec)

I think President Xi will [Inaudible].

Question 00:12:12-00:12:14 (2 sec)

But do you have the legal basis to do that?

Donald Trump 00:12:14-00:12:14 ( sec)

Yes.

Question 00:12:14-00:12:15 ( sec)

To do --

Donald Trump 00:12:15-00:12:15 ( sec)

[Inaudible]

Question 00:12:15-00:12:20 (5 sec)

[Inaudible] is there, uh, any side that supports Korea been getting more involved in helping Iran, or is Russia getting more involved with that?

Donald Trump 00:12:20-00:12:24 (4 sec)

I haven't seen it. No. I don't think anybody wants to get involved. It's a mess.

Question 00:12:24-00:12:30 (6 sec)

What about Americans, U.S. peoples who trying to leave the area with the airport shut down, Ben Gurion shut down?

Donald Trump 00:12:30-00:12:37 (7 sec)

We're doing the best we can. We're working on that with the other guys. Thank you everybody.